The world may be moving to paperless, but we’re not totally there yet. Sometimes you still need to print out a school project, a shipping label, or legal documents. But thanks to the wonders of WiFi, you can print wirelessly from your favorite devices, like your phone, tablet, or computer. Wireless printing is a piece of cake!
Both iOS® and Android™ devices support printing without the need for third-party apps. But first, you’ll need to make sure your printer is compatible with your operating system. In this article, we’ll look at how to print from your smartphone to a wireless printer using Android, iOS, and Windows operating systems. If your printer doesn’t support your operating system, don’t worry—we’ll cover that too!
How to print from an iPhone®, iPad®, or iPod® device
Apple® devices come with AirPrint® software built in, making it easy to print from any Apple device without needing to install any other software. AirPrint software comes with many printer models—and Apple has an extensive list of compatible printers.
- To start, connect your iOS device and printer to the same WiFi network. Make sure your printer is compatible with AirPrint. Apple has a handy list of devices that are compatible.
- Open the app you want to print from.
- Find the print option in that app or file. In some apps, this will be under ‘File’ and in some cases it may be under a ‘Share’ menu.
- Choose your printer, and then select Print.
- From here, you can select your printing options, such as number of copies, page layout, single-sided or double-sided, color settings, and more.
For more detailed steps, check out the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific printer model. If your printer isn’t compatible with Cloud Print or AirPrint, there may be a separate app you can download. Most printer brands come with their own compatible app to make printing easier.
How to print from an Android device
In the past, you may have used Google Cloud Print™ to print from your Android device. The app was retired in late 2020, but you can still print from Android devices. All you need is a printer that’s connected to the same WiFi network as your device.
- To start, open the Settings on your device.
- Select Connected devices, then Connection preferences, then Printing.
- Then, select Add a print service and enter your printer’s information.
- From your apps, you can then select Print.
These general steps should work for many file types and apps that have the option to print. If you want to print something else from the web, you can take a screenshot and print it like any image.
How to print from Microsoft® Surface®
For devices running on Windows 8 and up, you can set up a printer just like you would on your PC. Locate your Settings and select Devices. When you select Print, you should see all available printers. Select your printer and print. Like the other devices listed in this article, you need to be on the same WiFi connection as your printer.
Internet for wireless printing
Since we’re all juggling multiple devices these days, knowing how to print from other devices in addition to your computer is a must. Whether you’re always on the go or just want to make life a little easier, you can print from a tablet or another device over WiFi, removing the need to plug it in. Keep in mind that having multiple devices using your WiFi’s bandwidth can slow down your whole network, so if you struggle with slow speeds, disconnect your wireless printer from the WiFi when it’s not in use. Happy printing from the Quantum Fiber blog!
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